R277-464. School Counselor Direct and Indirect Services

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-464.  School Counselor Direct and Indirect Services.

R277-464-1.  Authority, Purpose, and Oversight Category.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

          (c)  Section 53E-3-518, which directs the Board to make rules specifying:

          (i)  the recommended direct and indirect services a school counselor may provide;

          (ii)  the recommended amount of time a school counselor may spend on direct and indirect services; and

          (iii)  activities for a school counselor.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish standards and time limits for direct and indirect services provided by a school counselor within an LEA.

          (3)  This Rule R277-464 is categorized as Category 2 as described in Rule R277-111.

R277-464-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Direct services" means services provided to a student consistent with the School Counselor Services document incorporated by reference in Section R277-464-3.

          (2)  "Indirect services" means all other services consistent with the School Counselor Services document incorporated by reference in Section R277-464-3.

          (3)  "Non-school counselor activities" means activities inconsistent with direct and indirect services and deemed inappropriate consistent with the School Counselor Services document incorporated by reference in Section R277-464-3.

          (4)  "School counselor" means the same as the term is defined in Subsection R277-462-2(3).

R277-464-3.  Incorporation of School Counselor Services Document.

          (1)  This rule incorporates by reference the School Counselor Services Document, August 2024, which lists approved direct services and indirect services provided by a school's counseling program.

          (2)  A copy of the School Counselor Services Document is located at:

          (a)  https://schools.utah.gov/administrativerules/documentsincorporated; and

          (b)  the Utah State Board of Education - 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.

R277-464-4.  Time Allotment for Direct and Indirect Services.

          (1)  An LEA shall ensure the time allotment for implementation of a school's program be allocated in the following ways:

          (a)  85% of a school program's aggregate time is devoted to providing direct services to students, including:

          (i)  collaborative classroom instruction;

          (ii)  assisting in creating a plan for college and career readiness;

          (iii)  dropout prevention efforts, including student social and emotional supports; and

          (iv)  providing supports for a student's needs consistent with the program; and

          (b)  no more than 15% of a school program's aggregate time is devoted to indirect services including:

          (i)  faculty meetings;

          (ii)  administrative duties related to the program;

          (iii)  professional development of a school counselor; and

          (iv)  leadership meetings.

          (2)  An LEA shall ensure all direct and indirect services are consistent with the listed appropriate usage of time provided in the School Counselor Services document incorporated by reference in Section R277-464-3.

          (3)  An LEA shall ensure all appropriate and prohibited inappropriate activities are consistent with the School Counselor Services document incorporated by reference in Section R277-464-3, including the elimination of non-school counseling duties such as test coordination and administration.

          (4)  An LEA that receives funds pursuant to Rule R277-462 shall be subject to the requirements of this rule and all additional requirements as described in Rule R277-462.

R277-464-5.  Annual Assurance and Compliance.

          An LEA shall provide an annual assurance of intent to comply with the time allocation described in Section R277-464-4 through the annual assurances document described in Rule R277-108.

KEY:  school counselors, services

Date of Last Change:  October 8, 2024

Notice of Continuation:  April 15, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53E-3-518

Status of Rule

Effective October 8, 2024

Five-year review April 15, 2029

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Oversight Framework

Category 2

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-3-518

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-108, Annual Assurance of Compliance by Local School Boards

R277-462, Comprehensive School Counseling Program

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

School Counselor Services Document

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Bethany Marker
bethany.marker@schools.utah.gov
School Counseling

Secondary Contact:
Millie Mortensen
millie.mortensen@schools.utah.gov
Student Counseling

This page was last updated on November 30, 2024.

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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